Zeldminem
I got my Bush-Cheney 2004 Reelection Enticement Coupon (sometimes referred to as a “child tax credit refund check”) in the mail yesterday and, like the good little supply-side drone that I am, I headed out to Borders today to pump that money back into the economy by buying Jeffrey Zeldman’s “Designing With Web Standards.”
When I took it up to the cashier, the young lady behind the counter grabbed the book, took one look at its cover and asked, quite excitedly, “Is that Eminem!?!”
“No, I’m afraid not,” I replied. “It’s Zeldman.”
“Who?”
“Jeffrey Zeldman.”
“Oh,” she said, obviously disappointed with my answer. “With that hat, I thought it was Eminem…”
The hat notwithstanding, how in the world could you confuse Eminem with Jeffrey Zeldman? One is a chart-topping artist whose work has redefined an entire genre and who has rabid fans all around the world that will travel thousands of miles to see him whenever he makes an appearance; the other is a rapper.
But it got me thinking…
Zeldman
Zeldminem
Comments
jack
Zeldman is so dope! that boy is blazin, kickin’ it, keepin’ it rrrreal!
Jenny
For some reason, the way that photo of Zeldman has been trimmed makes him look a bit like Hitler in a ski cap. Spooky.
Jared
I think the picture of Zeldman looks more like Rev. Jesse Jackson in a cap.
Jenny
Yep. You’re right.
Keith
Jenny - “Hitler in a ski cap?” That is too funny. LOL.
tim
and here i thought it was cheec on the cover.heh.
Jai
So won’t the real Slim Jeffrey please stand up? Please stand up? Please stand up?
(cause while you were crouching down, apparently some photographer snapped a shot of the top part of your head… and put it on the book cover)
Jack (a different one)
The first time I saw the cover I thought he looked a little green. I figured the pic was shot after a long and bumpy boat ride.
Not very flattering, Z.
Grettir
The cover photo is a cropped version of Zeldman’s official Happy Cog press photo. The Happy Cog site even has a a 5.4MB TIFF version you can download (the link is at the bottom of the page) if you want to see Zeldman in all of his self-portraitured glory.
The photo quality (or lack thereof) makes more sense when you see it in context.
MikeyC
“Hitler in a ski cap. Spooky.”
For the longest time I just couldn’t put my finger on it. But you’re absolutely right. Hitler in a ski cap! But seriously, I’ve chatted with Zeldman and he’s actually a very nice guy so I hope that “Hitler in a ski cap” doesn’t become a wide-spreading “meme” or something.
mike
I agree with the other Jack. Not very flattering, Zeldman. However, cover photo notwithstanding, the book is very good.
(but I’m sure you all knew that.)
Sian
It’s definately Hitler in a hat. Thank you for cheering up my day with a little light laughter.
jack
My office mate had a copy of the book sitting on his desk. Someone from the next office wandered in, took a peek, and said, ‘what does Jesse Jackson know about web standards, anyway?’ No kidding.
cybo
hahahah hahahahahah hahahaha hahahahah
[breath]
hahaha hahahah hahahah hahahah hahahah
[breath]
roflmao - etc.
Peter K. Sheerin
Funny! Maybe someone should go sneak that image into The Trouble with Em ‘n En? ;-)
Jan!
Another nice detail would be changing “Voices that matter” to “The voices from Mathers” in the lower right corner. (For those that don’t get it: Eminem == Marshall Mathers.)
Meekly
This whole conversation is hilarious. If it keeps up I could imagine beginning to see Z’s likeness plastered around the world in obscure places, a la stickers of Bob (of Church of Subgenius) or “Andre has a Posse.”
Harley
Being the Canuck that I am, I thought he looked like Bob MacKenzie (of Bob n’ Doug MacKenzie / Strange Brew ‘lore), but the morning after way too much smokin’ and drinkin’…
Sean M. Burke
Especially for a book about design, that cover is just sad. It looks like the Really Old Guy at a rave, except without all the E tabs.
Dan
Zeldman’s eyes are looking in a different direction so I don’t think it’s a crop of his Happy Cog pic, as previously suggested. They also look rather bloodshot, IMHO. I can’t imagine what possessed them to use it.
Antkwin
Great conversation. Actually, when I saw the photo, I was convinced that Zelman was really short. Of course it’s possible that the photographer was really tall. Or maybe the tripod was broken.
Paul Watson
What a classic! My M&M loving friend will be most unchuffed.
John Dark
I wanna see Jeffrey and Marshall go at each other in a FREESTYLE RAP BATTLE!
-JD
Peter K. Sheerin
Oops! I forgot the .com in the url above!
The Trouble With Em ‘n En
Pete
Zeldminem, yesterday: “Standards rule, biotch.”
[right-clicks, sets as wallpaper]
zavach
Funny ! that’s the word ! But tell me … humm… why Jeffrey is not replying ? aha !! Guess what ? I’ve the answer ! yeah dude !!
EminEm is a SON of Zeldman…
Don’t ask me how i knew this..
I know a lot o things you know ?
Nelson
I fell into a river with the book in my backpack..now the pic looks worse.
Dino
Beside the GQ cover, how’s the book, worth buying?
Grettir
The book is worth every penny, though I know a few people have lost patience with the first half of the book since Mr. Zeldman spends the first 150 pages essentially “preaching to the choir.” While he gives an excellent overview of what web standards are, how they came about, and why they are important, chances are, if you’ve already bought the book, you’re already a believer….you’re just looking for a practical guide to salvation. That’s the second half.
Perhaps it was just good timing, since the book deals with material that I’ve been working on and thinking about for quite some time, but as far as I’m concerned it is, by far, the most genuinely helpful computer book I’ve purchased in years.
Vanessa Mezzera
Eminem the best eminem 4-ever
ich habe nicht viele bemerkungen gemacht